Do You Really Need to Buy That? This Simple Chart Will Help You Decide

When you walk into a store, everything around is designed for one purpose: to get you to BUY NOW.

The aisles in front of you display a cornucopia of things, your family’s very happiness hinging on what you decide to purchase. To make the temptation even worse, dangling above products every few feet is the siren call of American retail: the SALE sign.

Now you have to have it, right? You can’t pass up a deal!

Plus, you deserve a treat. And the kids — don’t forget about the kids — they’ll love it.

Stop — Don’t Buy That Yet!

Before you do something you know you’ll regret, take a moment to really consider it.

Breathe deeply, and double-check your shopping list. Get out of the aisle before another shopper clips you with her shopping cart in her sprint to Housewares.

Now ask yourself these questions:

NOW You’re Ready to Buy

Congratulations, you’ve survived the test of will. Go forth, and find more great deals.

Rejoice when you return home with your spoils — and with the newfound strength to survive the shopping challenges you’re sure to encounter next week.

Your Turn: How do you arm yourself against impulsive purchases?

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).